Arsenal face significant injury concerns ahead of Sunday's crucial North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur, with summer signing Riccardo Calafiori emerging as a major doubt for Mikel Arteta's squad.
The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League table but face their bitter rivals amidst a growing injury crisis affecting both defensive and attacking options.
Calafiori's Fitness Battle
Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's recent 2-2 draw with Sunderland, but concerns emerged during the international break when the defender joined the Italy squad.
Reports from the Italian camp revealed Calafiori had been training separately from the main group due to a hip problem, ultimately ruling him out of Italy's World Cup qualifiers.
Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso commented on the situation, stating: "He tried to be available, but he can't force it now."
The defender subsequently returned early to north London for further assessment, despite some suggestions Arsenal had initially requested he remain at the club.
Arteta's Concerning Update
Mikel Arteta delivered a less-than-reassuring update during his pre-match press conference, casting further doubt on Calafiori's availability for the weekend clash.
"He wasn't available [in the international break], he's been carrying a few things and we had to bring him back," Arteta revealed. "He hasn't trained yet, we have a session tomorrow so we will see."
The timing presents a significant challenge for Arsenal, with fellow defender Gabriel Magalhaes also ruled out due to a thigh problem. This leaves Arteta potentially short of options in central defence for one of the season's most important fixtures.
Fantasy Premier League Impact
For the 15.5% of Fantasy Premier League managers who selected Calafiori, the situation remains uncertain but somewhat optimistic.
The Italian defender, valued at £5.8m in the game, currently boasts a 75% chance of playing according to FPL's official fitness ratings.
Calafiori has accumulated 61 points this season, making him a popular defensive choice. His potential absence would force many managers to consider using their bench or taking a points hit for a replacement.
With the North London derby falling in Gameweek 12, FPL managers will be anxiously awaiting team news ahead of Sunday's deadline.
Arteta faces a delicate balancing act between rushing back a key player for a crucial match and risking further injury, while FPL managers must weigh up their options as derby day approaches.
